Zbehy combines a long archaeological history with religious heritage and the memory of Jozef Ignác Bajza. It is also home to the river landscape where the Nitra and Radošinka meet, as well as regional Cycle Route 2104 Nitra–Rišňovce. One distinction is important when planning your trip: the archaeological remains at Pod Lesneky are not currently presented to visitors. Check their presentation status before travelling; the local history can also be understood through the church, chapel and Bajza’s work.

Archaeology and early history

The foundations of a Romanesque church were uncovered at Pod Lesneky in 1967 and 1968. Remains of a medieval settlement dating from the 12th century were also uncovered there in those same years. The settlement existed from the 12th to the 15th century and was probably called Ethei. The history of this site thus spans several centuries, although the name Ethei is explicitly considered probable.

Other archaeological sites are located within the cadastral territory of Zbehy: a Neolithic settlement of the Lengyel culture and a burial ground from the Early Bronze Age. Traces from the Neolithic and Bronze Age therefore sit alongside the medieval finds at Pod Lesneky. This comparison makes the breadth of the area’s history tangible: from prehistoric settlements and burial sites to a medieval settlement.

Church and chapel

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Povýšenia sv. Kríža) was originally Gothic and was mentioned as a parish church in 1397. It is listed as a protected cultural monument under registration number ÚZKP 1576/0. The surviving image from the original Chapel of St. Urban (sv. Urbana) is still housed in this church. Local history thus brings together architectural history and the preservation of an image.

The Chapel of St. Urban (sv. Urbana) stands directly on the site and foundations of an earlier chapel. It is intended as a place of prayer, veneration and gratitude to God. The chapel and church can also be linked through the image preserved in the church, while their respective building and use histories represent different aspects of Zbehy’s religious heritage.

Jozef Ignác Bajza and literature

Jozef Ignác Bajza was a parish priest in Zbehy from 1815 to 1828 and is considered the author of the first Slovak novel. A monument to him stands in a park near the parish house in Zbehy. His connection to the town is therefore both biographical and literary.

Bajzove Zbehy is held annually as a recitation competition for Slovak poetry and prose. If you would like to plan your trip around the event, check the date of the next one. You can thus consider literary history and a specific event format as separate focal points for your trip.

River landscape, cycling and getting there

Zbehy lies in the floodplain and on the terrace of the Nitra, where it meets the Radošinka. The Nitra and the Radošinka flow along the eastern edge of the town. The river landscape adds a geographical focus to the archaeological and religious themes.

Regional Cycle Route 2104 Nitra–Rišňovce runs through Zbehy and is intended for both sporting and recreational cycling. Check the current route conditions before setting out. Your trip can therefore focus on different things: cycling and the river landscape, or the area’s archaeological, religious and literary history.

Zbehy is also on a railway line and at the junction of third-class roads, with direct access to the I/64 traffic corridor. Check current train connections and road conditions for your specific plans. The Zbehy shooting club also holds shooting competitions at the local shooting range, with participants from the Nitra region.

Discover more destinations: Veľké Zálužie, Lužianky, Báb, Rišňovce, Lukáčovce, Poľný Kesov, Alekšince, Dolné Lefantovce

For the broader travel overview: Nitra.